Improvement in folding chairs



J. A. WARE.

Folding-Chair. No. 164,061. PatentedJune1,I875.

THE GRAPHIC C(LPHOTO -I;ITH.39 &4I PARK PLACE, NY.

NITED STATEs PATENT OEEIoE.

JOHN A. WARE, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD W. VAILL, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING CHAIRS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,061, dated June 1, 1875; application filed April 6, 1875.

A cross-stretcher at the front of this third frame to a stretcher in the back frame. The feature of novelty in this chair consists in combining with the aforesaid frames links that connect the back ends of the seat-frame with the back legs, in such a manner that the said links stand nearly vertical when the chair is unfolded for use; but they swing and describe nearly a half circle as the chair is folded for transportation.

The construction and arrangement of the parts are such that the flexible seat of the chair is strained tightly as the chair is unfolded, but slacken sufficiently for comfort after the links have swung to their normal position. The chair made in this manner is firm while in use, and cannot be folded without moving the third frame and links into a position to strain the seat tightly before the parts shut together.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a section representin g the chair in a position for use, and, by dotted lines, the position the parts assume when the seat is strained; and Fig. 2 is a section of the chair as folded.

The back frame is made of the side posts or legs a and cross-pieces or stretchers b 0 cl, and the front frame is made of the legs 6 that are connected by the rail f, and attached at their upper ends by the pivot-screws g.

The seat-frame is made of the side pieces h and cross rails or stretchers k l, and the flexible seat extends between the stretchers c and k.

The front and seat frames are pivoted together at i by screws, a cross-rod, or by a rail, either passing through both frames or through one frame, and connected to the other by loops, and at the back end of the frame 70 lthe links m are attached that extend to the legs a, and swing as indicated by the dotted line.

When the chair is in use the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 1 by full lines, but when it is to be folded the back part of the frame 70 l is pressed downward and forward as the links m swing; this moves the parts .into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, straining the flexible seat by a toggle action but as soon as the links pass this line the parts of the chair fold together, as represented in Fig. 2.

The reverse movement stretches the seat as the chair is unfolded for use, and then relieves the strain upon the seat sufficiently to allow it to hang in a curve and form a comfortable seat. The ends of the stretchers 'l passing through the side pieces is form stops against the back legs. The stops may be of any desired character.

I claim as my invention- The combination, with the back frame a c d and the front frame 0, of the seat-frame h k and links m, the parts being arranged so that the links at swing from a nearly vertical position, and by a toggle movement strain the flexible seat in folding and unfolding the chair, as set forth.

Signed by me this 24th day of March, A. D. 1875.

JOHN A. WARE.

Witnesses:

A. B. DUNBAE, O. S. GORDON. 

